Charles Arnold Goforth, age 83 of Oak Grove Road, died Friday December 2, 2011 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Born in Cleveland County on October 14, 1928 he was the son of the late John Dixon and Bessie Suzanne Ware Goforth. Charles was a loving and dedicated member of Putnam Memorial Baptist Church. He was a third degree mason of Shelby Masonic Lodge #744, an avid gardener, loved to hunt and fish and was a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two brothers; Howard Goforth and Woody Ware; three sisters, Kathleen Scism, Louise Ledford, and Margaret Hamrick; a granddaughter, Tabitha Whitaker and great grandson, Madison Whitaker.

Mr. Goforth is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Kathleen Lookadoo Goforth; a son, Warren Goforth and wife Sherry of Shelby; two daughters, Connie Goforth Greene and husband Tommy of Boiling Springs, and Kim Goforth Tongel and husband Ralph of Shelby; Grandchildren;  Chuck Goforth, Elisha Vennekamp and husband Chris, Todd Tongel and wife Sara, Donald Whitaker and wife Sandy, Mary Tongel, Jonathon Greene and wife Heather, Dell Burdick and wife Denise, and Angie Guffey and husband Billy; great grandchildren, Tyler Coggins, Courtney Goforth, Taylor Tongel, Maegan Greene, Macie Greene, Noah Vennekamp, Thomas Guffey, Taylor Guffey, Payton Burdick, Tucker Burdick, and Braxton Burdick.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday December 6, 2011 at 11:00am at Putnam Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Glisson and Rev. Gary Marburger officiating. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park with Masonic rites.  The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 11:00 am an hour before the service.

Memorials can be made to: Putnam Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund, 1146 County Home Road, Shelby NC 28152